11 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Dec 4)
2. In Which Daniel Bryan Becomes CJ Parker 2.0
Good lord was this a tremendous episode of Miz TV.
An early R-Truth/Carmella dance break threatened to derail proceedings before they got started, but didn't. Instead, Miz launched into his backstory with Daniel Bryan, leading to the WWE Champion's arrival and most confident heel promo yet. This was excellent stuff. Daniel spat fire at the fans, put over his new state of mind, and claimed the sins of those in attendance (those who 'harm the Earth every day with mass consumption and climate damage') are greater crimes than booting AJ Styles in the d*ck. The old Bryan is dead, the 'Yes!' movement is dead, and he is now both the WWE Champion and 'The New Daniel Bryan.'
The champ's turn from face to heel brings a new dynamic to his relationship with The Miz, though it's clear they'll never be friends. Bryan thrust his greatest foe into 'The Phenomenal One' when he hit the scene. This allowed the Skull Crushing Finale that effectively established Miz vs. Styles for later in the show, and closing the segment on a great visual.
Bryan continues to deliver as a heel. Dipping into CJ Parker territory with the environmentalist content fits WWE's modus operandi too, and makes him an effective foil for God-fearing southern boy AJ Styles. It isn't a villainous stance in itself, but Daniel is so whiny he makes it so, and he knows how to use it to draw heat.